Namangan Hokim Detained for Receiving Large Bribe

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The State Security Service has reported the detention of the Hokim (governor) of Namangan on charges of receiving a large bribe.

According to the agency, the official colluded with the head of a shoe company and demanded US$60,000 from a novice entrepreneur in the construction sector for permission to build a multi-story residential building on a 35-sotka plot that contained dilapidated houses.

The company director was caught in the act while receiving the full amount. Later, when the same money was handed over through a staff member of the Hokimiyat, the Hokim himself was also detained. The official has been stripped of parliamentary immunity.

A criminal case has been initiated against the Hokim and the staff member under Article 210, Part 3, Clause “a” (receiving a bribe of an especially large amount).

The company director faces charges of large-scale fraud (Article 168, Part 4, Clause “a”) and giving a bribe of an especially large amount (Article 211, Part 3, Clause “a”).

All defendants are in custody, and if convicted, they face up to 15 years of imprisonment.